Neighbours set to fight for Champions League qualification

 

With the race for fourth place in the Premier League hotting up, Hannah Duncan takes a look at the candidates for Champions League qualification and questions whether  high-flying Tottenham have the stamina to snatch it from local rivals Arsenal...

 

We're creeping towards the end of the transfer window and that means the race for pretty much everything there is to play for is heating up.

 

But forget your exciting title chases and your nail-biting relegation battles, this season's race for fourth place is already gearing up to be one of the most edge- of-your-seat fights yet.

 

With a quick glance at the Premier League table, no fewer than nine teams are in contention for a top four spot. Realistically, Swansea and West Brom probably won't  last the distance (although I did say the same about Newcastle last year!), so we're looking at seven teams trying to squeeze into just four places.

 

If you discard the two Manchester sides and probably Chelsea too, that then leaves the mouth-watering prospect of Tottenham and Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool fighting  for the scraps. The stage is set.

 

Tottenham are currently favourites at 2.02 for a top four finish, with Arsenal trailing slightly behind at 2.6.

 

Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool are big outsiders to qualify for next season's Champions League at 6.8 and 8 respectively.

 

Looking at the up-coming fixtures of the two north London sides, both have pretty easy rides between now and the end of February, before facing a gruelling March. So  there is every chance fourth spot could be determined by which side can hold their nerve through the 'winnable' games and carry that momentum into the tougher  fixtures.

 

It is often said that titles aren't won on who wins the head-to-heads between those in contention, but who can accumulate maximum points against sides lower down the  division - and the same can be said for European qualification.

 

Both clubs have suffered six league defeats this term, but it's the Gunners' number of draws which could prove costly come May.

 

Before March, Arsenal face home ties against Liverpool, Stoke and Aston Villa, as well as an away trip to Sunderland, while Spurs host Newcastle and travel to Norwich,  West Brom and Wigan - the pair then face each other at White Hart Lane on March 3.

 

Spurs, who currently sit seven points clear of their nearest and dearest, are the 1.78 favourites to finish above neighbours Arsenal in the season match bet market.

 

But of course a lot could yet change through off field events, with just over a week left of the January transfer window.

 

And the same can be said for the other set of local rivals battling for the top four.

 

Everton currently occupy the Europa League qualification spot, four points clear of Liverpool, but while the Reds have been hitting top form of late, the Toffees have  picked up just one win in their last four league outings.

 

But that's not to say either of these two should be discounted. This season's race for fourth place could prove one of the most fearsome for many a year, with  neighbourly relations becoming more tense than ever.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Arsenal in Top Four Finish @ 2.6

 

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